People on Wisconsin's Medicaid Funded Insurance Can Get Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill at No Cost

Thursday, March 21st, 2024 -- 8:18 AM

(Hope Kirwan, Wisconsin Public Radio) People with Wisconsin’s Medicaid-funded insurance will now be able to get the new over-the-counter birth control pill at no cost.

According to Hope Kirwan with Wisconsin Public Raio, Gov. Tony Evers announced on Tuesday he had directed the state Department of Health Services to issue a standing order to allow BadgerCare Plus members to access Opill.

It’s the first oral contraceptive pill available without a prescription in the U.S. The medication started shipping to major retailers earlier this month, and one month’s supply of Opill has a recommended retail price of $19.99.

According to the statement from the governor’s office, Opill’s manufacturer said the medication will become available at Wisconsin pharmacies starting Tuesday. The BadgerCare Plus program covers the cost of over-the-counter oral contraception with a prescription.

The new standing order from DHS will serve as a prescription for members, allowing Medicaid-enrolled pharmacies that carry Opill to issue the medication at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient.

“Streamlining access to contraception for BadgerCare Plus members helps them to make their own choices about their future,” DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson said in a formal statement.

In January, DHS issued a similar standing order at Evers’ direction to make over-the-counter emergency contraception available at no cost to BadgerCare Plus members. Under both orders, Medicaid-enrolled pharmacists will submit claims to Wisconsin Medicaid for the covered over-the-counter contraceptives.

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